Did you know that in the United States, emotional support animal owners are protected by federal and state laws? Emotional support animals — or in short, "ESA" — are recognized as a necessity for people with mental health disorders. But what exactly is an emotional support animal? How are they different from service dogs? How do [...]
Congratulations, your therapist or doctor just approved you for an emotional support animal and gave you a signed ESA letter! Once you receive your ESA letter, your pet — or future pet — has officially qualified as an emotional support animal. As an ESA owner, you have special rights for housing — including the ability [...]
According to the Fair Housing Act, an emotional support animal (ESA) can reside with its owner in residential housing, even where pets are not typically allowed. As long as the owner has a valid ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional, an ESA is not considered a pet. Instead, the ESA is a necessary part [...]
When you have an emotional support animal (ESA) and the right documentation, you are protected by certain rights under Federal law when it comes to housing. The Fair Housing Act and guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Housing (HUD) ensure that ESA owners are not unfairly discriminated against due to their need for an [...]
As a landlord, HOA, co-op, or other housing provider, you may have received a request from a tenant that is looking to live with an emotional support animal (ESA). Housing providers want to comply with their obligations under Fair Housing laws to accommodate tenants with ESAs, but also want to make sure the request is [...]
Emotional support dogs have become a popular option for people coping with mental and emotional health issues. Many dog owners are aware of the therapeutic benefits and support their canine friends provide. An emotional support dog is a legally recognized assistance animal that is allowed to accompany its owner in residences free of charge (even [...]
To share an ESA Letter with your landlord or real estate agency you can follow a very simple 2 steps approach: Notify and share. As we'll mention in this article, be aware of your rights and know how to defend them in case your landlord is not willing to comply. But before you can speak [...]
...and How to Protect Yourself as a Landlord Under the Fair Housing Act, housing providers such as landlords, Co-Ops, and HOAs cannot charge their tenants fees, deposits, and surcharges with their emotional support animals (ESA). ESAs are not considered pets for purposes of Fair Housing rules and must be allowed even in buildings that prohibit [...]
We will explore commonly used excuses that housing providers give to deny tenants their right to live with an emotional support animal. The intent of this article is to answer questions and provide helpful information to tenants requesting ESA accommodation from their landlords and also to educate landlords on what they should avoid when faced [...]
On January 28th, 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidance regarding Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in housing. In this recent guidance, HUD recognizes the crucial role that Emotional Support Animals can have in the lives of their owners.